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Oct 3,2024—  Firefighters are working diligently on the Yellow Fork Fire, and it is now 6% contained. The current acreage is 2,560. Despite containment only slowly increasing, firefighters are making progress on the fire. 

Crews continue to enhance the fuel break around the fire, using handline, bulldozer line, natural barriers, and thinning fuels. This indirect line is near completion along the gas pipeline corridor, as well as near the Mill Hollow area. Structure protection is near completion at the YMCA camp and the ranger station. Firefighters have been installing hoselay in these areas, both for suppression efforts now and mop up later. No structures or recreation property have been damaged. 

Crews are strategically firing along the indirect line to decrease unburned fuel along firebreaks between the current fire perimeter. This methodical approach has been successful, reducing the timeframe to reach containment and open Highway 35. There is a predicted wind shift this weekend, where winds will be coming from the south instead of the north. These firing operations may continue to occur to enhance the fuelbreaks prior to the predicted wind shift and create a strong northern perimeter.
 

This fire remains a full suppression fire. Fire managers are working to reach containment safely. It’s important to understand that containment does not mean the fire has not grown. Containment indicates that fire managers are confident that it will not grow along that portion of the perimeter. In heavy fuels like timber that can retain heat for long periods of time, it is imperative that crews are methodical about assuring there are no heat sources that could reignite later and spot across the existing lines. Containment is expected to increase slowly as crews stop progression and reduce all heat sources that could threaten the lines. 

Highway 35 remains closed for at least 24-48 hours, until fire activity decreases and the road can be cleared of debris. 

The fire has been determined to be human caused, but it is still under investigation. More information will be released once the final investigation report is completed. 

The Yellow Lake Fire is located east of Mill Hollow Reservoir on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with 384 personnel assigned to the incident.